“Everyone Has A Right To Choose”: Wike Speaks on Mass Defection In Rivers Assembly
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the 16 lawmakers who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are free to do so, noting that his camp will continue working with the legislators who remain in the PDP.
Wike made the remarks on Friday while addressing journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction of an interchange bridge connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja.
Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, announced their defection from the PDP to the APC during Friday’s plenary session.
Amaewhule said they defected due to divisions within the PDP, adding that he was now committed to working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said “means well for the country.”
Reacting to the development, Wike described the mass defection as “unfortunate,” attributing it to the internal crisis within the PDP.
“Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised, and the Constitution allows members to leave when such divisions exist. You can see that not everyone left. I believe 16 or 17 have gone out of 27. We still have a good number—about 10—and we will continue to work together. They never told me, but they have the right”, said Wike.
The former Rivers State Governor emphasized that he remains a member of the PDP and urged the party leadership to address the lingering internal issues.
“I’m still in the PDP. Those who have remained, we will continue to work together. I have told the party to put its house in order. If they don’t, the party will lose out. We still urge the party to work together so that the remaining members can function as a relevant opposition. But they chose not to. For me, those who left are free, but those who remain—we will continue to work together”, said Wike.
